There seems to be open confrontation between Prime Minister Robert Abela and Education Minister Clifton Grima over the CEO of the Authority for Integrity for Maltese Sport (AIMS). This clash has come out into the open due to the departure of AIMS CEO Luciano Busuttil who seems to have left after disagreements with the AIMS board.
Abela is pushing for Jean Claude Micallef, a former Labour MP and a person who has been active in the sports field over the years. But Education Minister Clifton Grima is not having that and is pushing for his candidate of choice, who happens to be none other than his former Chief of Staff, Ryan Borg. Borg is currently Director of Strategy, International Relations, and Support at the authority.
Sources who spoke to The Maltese Herald insisted that Micallef was the right person for the job.
“Micallef has consistently shown dedication to sports administration. Even during his tenure as an MP, his focus remained on sports-related issues, and he has maintained that commitment after leaving parliament.”
PM’s men insist Micallef is the right man to head the AIMS
Micallef’s long-standing engagement with Maltese sports governance is well-documented. In 2022, he expressed interest in leading the Malta Premier Football Clubs Association (MPFCA). However, that position was ultimately filled by former Prime Minister Joseph Muscat.
AIMS, operational since February 2022, plays a critical role in upholding integrity in Maltese sports. Its responsibilities include conducting anti-doping tests, combating match-fixing, and addressing potential money laundering within the sporting sector.
The authority’s previous CEO, Luciano Busuttil, left the role following a contentious relationship with the AIMS board. His departure has left a leadership vacuum at a time when AIMS’ mission to safeguard the integrity of Maltese sports has never been more vital.
The Maltese Herald exclusively revealed the local athletes who are currently serving some sort of ban for doping.
Sports Editor
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